Fan



Jan. A12, 1943.- A. o. WUPERMAN FAN Filedsept. e, 1940 v '2 sheets-sheet 2 JNVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FAN Alfred 0. Wupperman, New Orleans, La.

Application September 6, 1940, Serial No. 355,685

1 Claim.

This invention aims to provide a fan capable of being collapsed into small compass, sometimes no greater than that of a fountain pen, the construction being such that the device can be carried readily in a womans handbag or in a vest pocket. The invention aims to provide novel means for connecting the inner and outer members of each rib, for relative longitudinal movement, to permit the length of the fan to be shortened, when the fan is not in use. The invention aims to supply novel means for assembling and connecting together the constituent parts, to form a useful structure for the end in view.

It is Within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows, in extended and operative position, a fan embodying the present improvement;

Fig. 2 is a section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a rib of the fan in collapsed or shortened position;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view delineating the inner member of the rib;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view disclosing the outer member of the rib;

Fig. 7 is a cross section like Fig. 4, but setting forth a modification.

The fan forming the subject matter of this application comprises any desired number of radial ribs R, made of light but strong material, such as aluminum. Each rib R includes an outer member I and an inner member 2.

Any suitable means may be supplied for connecting the parts I and 2 of each rib R together, for relative longitudinal movement, and for holding them in extended position as in Figs. 1 and 2.

Preferably, but not of necessity, the inner member 2 'has longitudinal inner and outer slots, designated by the numerals 3 and 4, respectively, adjoining portions of the slots being overlapped on each other, as shown at 5 in Fig. 1. At its outer end, the slot 4 has a transverse extension 5x. The slots 3 and 4 are spaced apart transversely. i

The outer member I of each rib R is provided with headed studs 6 and 1, lthe stud 6 being disposed close to the inner end of the outer member I. The stud 6 is mounted for reciprocation in the slot 3 of the inner member 2, the stud 'I being mounted for reciprocation in the slot 4 of that member. The construction is such that each rib R may be extended or telescoped. When the rib R is extended, a slight transverse movement of the outer rib member I lodges the stud 'I in the extension 59:, and thus the rib will be prevented from collapsing lengthwise.

The studs 6 and 1 and the slots may be formed in various Ways. Referring to Fig. 4, the slots 3 and 4 are ared transversely as shown at 8, to receive the head 9 of the stud, the cylindrical body I0 of the stud being received in the appropriate slot 3 or 4, the body I0 of the stud being provided with a reduced neck I I, riveted at I2 on the rib member I.

In Fig. 7, a modification is shown, parts hereinbefore described being designated by numerals already used, with the suffix a. The slots 3 and 4 have side walls which converge throughout the entire cross section of the member 2a of the rib, the head 9a being shaped accordingly, the body I0 of Fig. 4 being omitted.

At their inner ends, the inner members 2 of each rib R have openings I4, shaped to receive a headed axle I5, washers I6 beingmounted on the axle I5, between the inner members 2 of the ribs R. I

The body Il of the fan may be of any desired length or breadth, but, preferably, is of the semicircular form delineated in Fig. 1. The body I1 may be made of white cloth or any other appropriate material, and the body being attached to the bottom members of the ribs by cementing, stitching or otherwise.

The operation of the structure will be clear without an extended description, it being possible to shorten the ribs R by sliding the outer members I inwardly of the members 2, until the inner ends of the outer members I abut against the Washers I6, as shown in Fig. 3. The body I1 of the fan may be wrapped about the collapsed ribs R, the ribs, of course, being thrown into alinement on the axle I5.

The seats 5x on each half of the fan project laterally toward the seats on the other half of the fan, as shown in Fig. 1. The portions ofthe body H which lie between adjoining ribs constitute sections. As the central of these sections becomes tautened, when the fan is opened, the central section will function to cause the outer studs 1 of the ribs that define said section, to remain lodgedin the corresponding seats 5x, and the remaining sections will operate, one after another, in the same manner.

The device forming the subject matter of this application will be inexpensive to manufacture. It occupies but little space when collapsed, the studs 'l coacting as the slot extensions 5x of Fig. 5 maintain the parts I and 2 of the ribs from sliding, longitudinally of each other, until the studs 'l have been disengaged from the extensions 5:1: of the slots 4.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A fan including ribs, each comprising inner and outer members overlapped for relative longitudinal movement, the inner members being provided with inner and outer, transversely-spaced longitudinal slots, the outer members having inner and outer studs slidably received, respectively, in the inner and outer slots, a flexible body assembled with the outer members, the portions of the body which lie between adjoining ribs constituting sections, and means for joining the inner members together for swinging movement, to permit the fan to open and close: the outer slots having transverse seats, the seats on each half of the fan projecting laterally toward the seats on the other half of the fan, whereby when the fan is opened and as the sections are tautened, the outer studs will be held lodged in the seats.

ALFRED O. WUPPERMAN. 

